PTE Highlight Incorrect Words: Tips & Scoring
In Highlight Incorrect Words, a transcript is shown while the audio plays, but some words on screen differ from what is spoken. You click the words that do not match what you hear. It has negative marking, so accuracy — not enthusiastic clicking — is the key to a high score.
How the task works
A transcript appears and a recording plays once. Wherever the written word differs from the spoken word, you click it. You typically face two to three of these.
Step-by-step strategy
- 1Read along with the transcript closely as the audio plays.
- 2Listen for the exact word at each point and compare it to the text.
- 3Click a word the instant you notice a clear mismatch, then return your focus to the audio.
- 4Do not look back or second-guess — keep moving with the recording.
Do not over-click
Because wrong clicks are penalised, only flag words you are sure differ from the audio. Clicking words you are unsure about, hoping to catch the error, usually lowers your score.
How it is scored
- Each correctly identified incorrect word earns a mark.
- Each wrongly clicked word (one that actually matched the audio) loses a mark.
- Your item score cannot fall below zero, but careless clicking nets few marks.
- Accuracy beats quantity — flag only clear mismatches.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Clicking uncertain words and triggering the negative-marking penalty.
- Losing your place in the transcript while reacting to one mismatch.
- Reading ahead of the audio and missing the actual spoken word.
- Hesitating so long on one word that you miss the next mismatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Highlight Incorrect Words have negative marking?
Yes. Each correctly clicked incorrect word earns a mark, but each wrongly clicked word loses one (the item cannot go below zero). Only click words you are confident differ from the audio.
How do I keep up with the audio?
Read along at the exact pace of the recording and click mismatches instantly without looking back. Practising with transcripts trains your eyes and ears to stay synchronised so you catch errors in real time.
Continue Reading
PTE Academic Listening: Task-by-Task Strategy Guide
PTE Academic Listening strategies: Summarize Spoken Text, Write from Dictation, Highlight Incorrect Words and more — with note-taking and timing tips for each task.
ListeningPTE Listening Fill in the Blanks: Tips & Scoring
PTE Listening Fill in the Blanks guide: how to follow the transcript and type the missing words as the audio plays — plus how partial-credit scoring works.
ListeningPTE Highlight Correct Summary: Tips & Scoring
PTE Highlight Correct Summary guide: how to match the overall meaning of the audio to the right summary paragraph and avoid keyword traps.